The United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia is currently accepting applications for a full-time Pro Se Staff Attorney. The Pro Se Staff Attorney works closely with the district judges and chambers staff to adjudicate lawsuits filed by pro se prisoners, as well as the post-conviction habeas corpus review of state criminal cases and review of motions to vacate federal death sentences.
Law school graduate (top quarter or law review required), with at least three years of professional legal experience with a significant portion of that experience dealing with prisoner pro se litigation involving § 1983 and habeas corpus matters. Experience handling Virginia post-conviction issues is preferred. Computer proficiency in Windows applications, word processing ability in Microsoft Word, and experience with computer-assisted legal research are required. Applicants must have the ability to analyze complex legal issues and understand a wide range of legal concepts, principles, and practices as they relate to prisoner litigation; perform legal research and write accurately and expeditiously; communicate complex issues in simple terms with a professional demeanor; set priorities; and manage work with limited supervision. Applicants must be detail-oriented and possess excellent organizational skills.
This position is on-site but will be a hybrid between the Alexandria and Richmond divisions. Candidates will be expected to select a primary duty station and travel as needed to the opposite division for training and performance of job duties. Some telework is authorized. Preference given to candidates able to start as soon as possible. This position requires a three (3) year commitment. Duties and responsibilities include: taking primary responsibility for a portion of the Court's pro se prisoner docket; providing substantive legal analysis of pleadings and making recommendations directly to the district judges regarding the dispositions of motions; drafting appropriate orders and opinions for review by district judges; efficiently managing the flow of the Court's pro se prisoner litigation; providing information to district judges and court staff on legal issues unique to pro se prisoner litigation; evaluating existing procedures and developing and implementing improved processes for the adjudication of the Court's pro se prisoner litigation; preparing periodic reports for judges on trends in the pro se prisoner docket; conducting legal research and keeping abreast of developments in the law regarding capital habeas cases in the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court; reviewing voluminous state court records and trial transcripts; consulting with judges regarding capital habeas issues and cases; coordinating case-related activities with state and federal courts and agencies; collaborating with other staff attorneys and chambers law clerks; and performing other duties as assigned.